Sunday, December 02, 2007 2 car firm officials welcome inquiry
TWO Cebu officials of a Japanese car company yesterday welcomed a proposed congressional inquiry on vehicle smuggling in Cebu so those selling questionable sports utility vehicles (SUVs) will be identified.
Honda Cebu general manager Nemesio Solomon Jr. and sales manager Mitchell Alforque said that used SUVs are also unsafe for public transport especially those converted from right-hand drive (RHD) to left-hand drive.
Solomon also said these vehicles are costly to maintain and consume more fuel than brand-new units.
Alforque said most importers of used vehicles do not pay the correct duties and taxes to the government.
Used vehicle dealers also hurt the local car assemblers like the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and legitimate dealers. “It’s really hurting the brand-new car dealers,” Solomon said.
He pointed out that if there are no surplus vehicles, a person who has P600,000 can already buy a brand-new sedan. However, a used Pajero is offered at P600,000.
“That’s the dilemma (because that person will prefer the Pajero),” Solomon said.
But if people will consider that used vehicles have no warranty and have emission problems, they will think twice before buying these, he said.
Director Antonio Labios of the Department of Energy Visayas field office said a vehicle must have good maintenance to achieve fuel efficiency. (EOB)
